Wirral Council Parks and Countryside Service Wirral Beaches Management Plan Produced 2011 Introduction The plan is intended to provide the detail required for the management and maintenance of Wirral beaches within the required scope, it is not intended as a full coastal management document. The purpose of this plan is to identify beach maintenance activity and refers to the grooming of the beaches and the removal of litter, flotsam, and debris, wind blown sand and invasive plant species. Typology and primary purpose - Wirral Open Spaces Assessment November 2010 (based on PPG17 guidance) Typology: Natural and Semi Natural Green spaces (Beaches and foreshore) Primary purpose: A less intensively managed site, including woodlands and where appropriate beaches providing accessible opportunities for informal recreation and the appreciation of nature and wildlife including wildlife conservation, biodiversity and environmental education. Aims Standard aim: The designated beach will be maintained in accordance with its primary purpose. As an important natural amenity Management and maintenance practices will recognise and enhance the value of beaches and the contribution that they make to economic, environmental and cultural well-being both for Wirral residents and visitors to the borough. History Wirral’s beaches and foreshore have a rich and vibrant history to numerous to mention within the context of this plan. The area has abundant natural history with high level international designations, historic buildings, structures and coastal features. 2 Site information Beach Locations Plan: (see also site plans below) Shorefields Official site name: (s) • Caldy Beach • Egremont Shore • Gayton Saltmarsh • Heswall Foreshore • Hoylake Beach • Leasowe Bay • Meols Beach • Moreton Beach • New Brighton Beach x2 • New Ferry Foreshore • Red Rocks • Shorefields • Thurstaston Beach • Wallasey Beach • West Kirby Beach • West Kirby Saltmarsh Site address: N/A Grid reference: N/A 3 Ward (s): The beaches this plan refers to are in the New Brighton, Wallasey, Leasowe & Moreton East, Moreton West and Saughall Massie, Hoylake & Meols, New Ferry and West Kirby and Thurstaston wards. Site overview: Beaches are one of Wirral's most important assets and are a dynamic feature of the coast. They range from resort beaches at New Brighton and West Kirby to quieter beaches such as Leasowe Bay, Wallasey Beach and Egremont. They create opportunities for tourism and economic investment. Wirral has four Environment Agency designated bathing beaches at West Kirby, Meols, Moreton and Wallasey. The remainder are classed as amenity beaches. Wirral operates a Beach Lifeguard Service to provide as far as is practicable, the safety of persons resorting to the foreshores whilst in the pursuit of their leisure and recreational activities. The unit operates on a seasonal basis from Easter until the end of September with weather, tidal conditions, special events and the number of foreshore users being prime considerations for hours of duty. Various bathing locations are manned by fully trained and qualified lifeguards. First Aid is also a duty undertaken by qualified first aiders whilst the unit is operational during the summer months. Size: Council ownership extends to the mean low water spring tide mark. For maintenance purposes most activity takes place up to 100 metres from the land formation. Access: Access to and usage of our beaches is a valued and cherished public resources. Access to our beaches is adequate with more than 130 access points to the beach and water. Many of the accesses have been improved over time. Numerous on-street and municipal parking opportunities are available. • There are numerous access points to Wirral’s beaches including slipways, steps and ramps. • Accessibility by public transport is reasonable in urban areas and less-so in others • Parking opportunities exist along most of the coastline • The Wirral Coastal Cycleway follows most of the coastline 4 • The Wirral Circular Trail takes in most of the coastline Tenure and concession agreements: • The majority of Wirral’s foreshore is owned by the Authority • At the time of writing this plan an interim arrangements exists to supply and service (9) 1100 litre “euro carts” at key busy locations to help facilitate clean beaches. • The Environment Agency samples water quality 20 times a year (from May to September) at Wallasey Beach (Wallasey Village), Moreton Sea Wall (Pasture Road), Dove Point (Meols) and West Kirby Main Beach Marine Lake Wall. • Sand yachting, Para - karting (kite buggying) and land boarding takes place on the beach under agreement between the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral and Wirral Sand Yachting Club. This agreement is subject to approval by English Nature. • Commercial, Leisure Sea and shell fishing takes place around Wirral’s coast and foreshore with agreement from statuary agencies. ( Management of the Dee Estuary fishery is undertaken by the Welsh Environment Agency with the North Shore being undertaken by The North West Sea Fisheries Committee ) • As the land owner the council has a key role in managing access and control of the fishery and any operations that may have a negative impact on the beach, its natural habitats and users • Boat Launching and Foreshore Permits:- The authority has a permit system in place for the launch and recovery of boats; powered craft are only permitted at New Brighton. Some slipways are restricted for emergency use only. A foreshore permit is required to take a vehicle onto the foreshore or to launch a boat around Wirral's coast. Permits are available through the approved agents of the council for which a charge is made. 5 Water sports activities are restricted by zoning at West Kirby Beach. This may be extended to other designated bathing beaches in future. • Revised Bathing Water Directive In 2015 the current directive will be repealed and the revised Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC) will come into force. Background The revised Bathing Water Directive (76/1160/EEC) is an updated version of the current Bathing Water Directive (76/1160/EEC). The revised Directive aims to set more stringent water quality standards and also puts a stronger emphasis on beach management and public information . The revised Bathing Water Directive entered into force on 24 March 2006. The overall objective of the revised Directive remains the protection of public health whilst bathing, but it also offers an opportunity to improve management practices at bathing waters and to standardise the information provided to bathers across Europe. Summary of main uses Main activities • Natural habitat • Family activities • Active and passive recreation • Events • Walking • Dog walking • Access to nature • Access to the sea • Boat launching • Sand Yachting • Paragliding • Parakarting • Wildfowling Community and user organisations: • Dee Estuary Conservation Group • Dee Estuary Voluntary Wardens • Friends of North Wirral Coastal Park • Friends of Hilbre • Wirral Country Park Friends Group • Heswall Soroptomists • Wallasey Soroptomists 6 • West Kirby Lions • Blue Planet (Blue Watch) • Cheshire and Wirral Ornithological Society (CAWOS) Stakeholders • WMBC Coastal Protection (flood defence) • Cheshire Wildlife • Natural England • Environment Agency • Keep Britain Tidy • Marine Conservation Society • Blue Planet Aquarium • Liverpool University • Mersey Docks and Harbour Company • North West Sea Fishery Committee • Wirral Coastal Partnership • Cheshire Rigs • Proudman (National Oceanographic Institute) • Sailing Clubs • RSPB • Countryside Council for Wales • Liverpool Museums • Royal Liverpool Golf Club Natural and built heritage Designations: Designated bathing beaches: • West Kirby • Meols • Moreton • Wallasey Sites of Special Scientific Interest Most of Wirral’s beaches are classified as SSSI these beaches are located at • Dee Cliffs • Dee Estuary • Mersey Estuary • Mersey Narrows • North Wirral Foreshore • Red Rocks 7 Coastal Dune formations exist at Leasowe Bay, Meols, Red Rocks and West Kirby Monitoring and review This management plan should be reviewed and resubmitted annually to the Service Manager at Wirral Council. Objectives A) Maintain the physical elements of the site indicated in the site Information section and the site elements Map quantities Table in appendix and in accordance with the relevant requirements specified in the Service Requirement; b) Conduct site condition surveys and develop the Site Improvement Plan on an annual basis (appendix g); c) Maintain the SBI/SSSI in a way that is consistent with conserving the features of interest outlined in the site citation and any other statutory requirements. d) Ensure sites retain any designations and awards status; e) Carry out other operations that are consistent with achieving the site’s primary purpose. Appendices 1. Beach grooming / raking areas 2. Site Plans 3. Site History 4. Current Facilities and Features 5. SSSI Citations 6. Site quantities – operations 7. Beach Improvements Plan 8 Appendix 1 Beach Grooming Areas Appendix 2 Site Plans Egremont Shore New Brighton Beach Wallasey Beach Leasowe Bay Beach 11 Moreton Beach Meols Beach 12 Hoylake Beach Red Rocks 13 West Kirby salt marsh West Kirby Beach 14 Caldy Beach Thurstaston Beach 15 Heswall Foreshore Gayton Saltmarsh 16 New Ferry Shore Shorefields 17 Appendix 3.Site History Not Applicable Appendix 4.Current Facilities and Features • Bathing beaches • Amenity Beaches • Natural habitats • Coastal defence structures inc. rock armour and slipways • Information